July 2009 Sightings
Re: July 2009 Sightings
The weather here has been petty appalling since Saturday, but at least today it's mostly dry and the sun came out as well. This must have had an effect on the local butterflies, as I have just been out in the garden and there were no less that 9 Painted Lady spread out sunning themselves on the path. 6 looked really fresh, but the other 3 looked a little weather worn. There were also 4 very fresh Comma, a Red Admiral and lots of the usual feeding up.
I was beginning to wonder if summer would come back.
Denise
I was beginning to wonder if summer would come back.
Denise
Denise
- Dave McCormick
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
Yeah I am wondering the same thing.... still wet here, only sun for a little while. Only seen one small tortoiseshell and many large whites in garden today. Weather sure has gotten a it colder and wetter than June thats for sure.I was beginning to wonder if summer would come back.
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
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My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
Re: July 2009 Sightings
I think a warm front has passed over Bristol today as this afternoon was quite warm. At Willsbridge were:
Leps:
hutchinsoni comma
red admiral
painted lady
ringlet
meadow brown
small skipper
marbled white
large white
small white
gv white
speckled wood
peacock
six spot burnet
Ods:
common darter
southern hawker
azure damselfly
bluetailed damselfly
Leps:
hutchinsoni comma
red admiral
painted lady
ringlet
meadow brown
small skipper
marbled white
large white
small white
gv white
speckled wood
peacock
six spot burnet
Ods:
common darter
southern hawker
azure damselfly
bluetailed damselfly
- Pete Eeles
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
Last year I saw Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Common Blue in my garden - and my house is a long way from suitable habitat and always wondered where they were coming from.
Today I found out. There's a water catchment "bowl" next to a roundabout near my house (100 yards away) that is hidden from view by large bushes. I took a look in there today and - yikes!!! - it's full of flowering thistles, plantain, Bird's-foot Trefoil, flowering Bramble, tall grasses etc. etc. And very sheltered.
Suffice to say, I found around a dozen fresh Common Blue, 8 Small Skipper, 2 Peacock, various "whites", lots of Gatekeepers and around 20 Painted Lady (all fresh). Made my day.
Cheers,
- Pete
Today I found out. There's a water catchment "bowl" next to a roundabout near my house (100 yards away) that is hidden from view by large bushes. I took a look in there today and - yikes!!! - it's full of flowering thistles, plantain, Bird's-foot Trefoil, flowering Bramble, tall grasses etc. etc. And very sheltered.
Suffice to say, I found around a dozen fresh Common Blue, 8 Small Skipper, 2 Peacock, various "whites", lots of Gatekeepers and around 20 Painted Lady (all fresh). Made my day.
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
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- Rogerdodge
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
Pete
At the back of the factory I work in we have a steep bank leading up to some rough ground.
Today I saw, during my lunch 1/2 hour, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large and Small Skipper, Ringlet, Small White, Small Copper, Painted Lady and a possiblr Small Heath.
These tiny nature "reserves" are so important, and heart-warming.
I daren't wander around with a camera though, as the guys at work think I am mad enough already!
At the back of the factory I work in we have a steep bank leading up to some rough ground.
Today I saw, during my lunch 1/2 hour, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large and Small Skipper, Ringlet, Small White, Small Copper, Painted Lady and a possiblr Small Heath.
These tiny nature "reserves" are so important, and heart-warming.
I daren't wander around with a camera though, as the guys at work think I am mad enough already!
Cheers
Roger
Roger
- Pete Eeles
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
That's good to hear (about the site, that is, not your weird hobby)
It amazes me just how resilient something as fragile as a butterfly can be, and how such small areas of habitat can make all the difference. I can now see why farming "set aside" land is so important - as well as corridors that allow movement of populations. Good stuff!
Cheers,
- Pete
It amazes me just how resilient something as fragile as a butterfly can be, and how such small areas of habitat can make all the difference. I can now see why farming "set aside" land is so important - as well as corridors that allow movement of populations. Good stuff!
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
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- Rogerdodge
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
PeteThat's good to hear (about the site, that is, not your weird hobby)
That reminded me of last week.
I had to attend a confernce just outside Brussels. You know the sort of thing: Airport, Hotel, Conference Center, Hotel, Conference Centre, Airport.
No chance to explore anything.
Anyway, I am sat in this conference room, and behind me is a huge plate glass window looking onto the car park, but with a Buddlea bush just behind me (Davidii if you are interested). It was heaving with fresh Painted Ladies, and for a few minutes a skittish Swallowtail joined in. It was all I could to stop myself screaming "Sod this for a game of soldiers", and charging out of the room and out into the countryside. But I didn't - I need the job............
Cheers
Roger
Roger
- Pete Eeles
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
I always choose a windowless office when abroad for this very reason
Cheers,
- Pete
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
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- Jack Harrison
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
Roger wrote:
My “office window” was the flight deck of my “Company Transport” (airliner) as I taxied at Innsbruck, Austria.
Jack
The best I ever saw from my “office window” was a quite unmistakeable Scarce Swallowtail......Anyway, I am sat in this conference room, and behind me is a huge plate glass window looking onto the car park, but with a Buddlea bush just behind me. It was heaving with fresh Painted Ladies, and for a few minutes a skittish Swallowtail joined in....
My “office window” was the flight deck of my “Company Transport” (airliner) as I taxied at Innsbruck, Austria.
Jack
- Lee Hurrell
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
Pete,
I get Gatekeepers and Speckled Woods in my back garden and I assume they come from the cemetery opposite my house. I found Small Copper and Common Blue over there in May since then Meadow Brown and Skippers!
Wouldn't mind seeing a Scarce Swallowtail though I did see one at my Dad's but then he does live in Spain...
Oh, nearly forgot - saw a Painted Lady right outside the front of Victoria station today. No idea what train it was after though...
Lee
I get Gatekeepers and Speckled Woods in my back garden and I assume they come from the cemetery opposite my house. I found Small Copper and Common Blue over there in May since then Meadow Brown and Skippers!
Wouldn't mind seeing a Scarce Swallowtail though I did see one at my Dad's but then he does live in Spain...
Oh, nearly forgot - saw a Painted Lady right outside the front of Victoria station today. No idea what train it was after though...
Lee
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
- Pete Eeles
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
Good stuff!
Talking of Gatekeepers, I found a funny looking female today - and put her in a plastic tub to take a closer look. Turned out she was perfectly normal, but had deformed wings. But what she did do - was lay 3 eggs (I assume, "in flight"). So I now have another 3 children to look after - and looking forward to it
Cheers,
- Pete
Talking of Gatekeepers, I found a funny looking female today - and put her in a plastic tub to take a closer look. Turned out she was perfectly normal, but had deformed wings. But what she did do - was lay 3 eggs (I assume, "in flight"). So I now have another 3 children to look after - and looking forward to it
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
- Lee Hurrell
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
Marvellous feeling being a 'butterfly parent' eh? I haven't done that for a few years...
Talking of deformed wings, check out this Meadow Brown from the North Downs above Kemsing weekend before last: Lee
Talking of deformed wings, check out this Meadow Brown from the North Downs above Kemsing weekend before last: Lee
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
Re: July 2009 Sightings
A bumper morning of butterflies in my garden today. Painted Lady numbers have increased to 15!
7 Peacock, 6 Comma, (with 2 being the form hutchinsoni making for ready comparison,) 3 Red Admiral, more whites than i've had in a while (20+) and lots of Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper. May the sun keep shinning.
Denise
7 Peacock, 6 Comma, (with 2 being the form hutchinsoni making for ready comparison,) 3 Red Admiral, more whites than i've had in a while (20+) and lots of Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper. May the sun keep shinning.
Denise
Denise
- Dave McCormick
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
so far, one male GV White, 20+ Large Whites and 3 small tortoiseshells. One Small Tortoiseshell on my buddleiah:
One Large White Male:
One Large White Male:
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
Re: July 2009 Sightings
Painted Lady numbers have massed to 21 including a mating pair!
Also my first second brood, Holly Blue male in the garden
Denise
Also my first second brood, Holly Blue male in the garden
Denise
Denise
- Rogerdodge
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
This weekend I shall mainly be watching Wood Whites.
- Jack Harrison
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
Chalkhill Blues at /Devils Dyke (Cambs) at the old railway near Burwell. Plus plenty of other species.
But this somehow sums up the present situation – my garden 2009. Blue skies and butterflies.
Jack
But this somehow sums up the present situation – my garden 2009. Blue skies and butterflies.
Jack
Re: July 2009 Sightings
Good numbers of fresh looking chalkhill blue seen at Draycott Sleights today. A detour by Chew Valley Lake turned up purple hairstreak although they're looking a bit tired now.
Where will you be heading for those, Roger?Rogerdodge wrote:This weekend I shall mainly be watching Wood Whites.
Re: July 2009 Sightings
Would having a camera make any difference, really...Rogerdodge wrote:...
I daren't wander around with a camera though, as the guys at work think I am mad enough already!
I have started training my colleagues at work in butterfly id and they often report-back their weekend sightings...
...they already know I'm mad ...so I take my camera in all the time in case I see a shot walking through the local cemetery....
...and most of my neighbours and local dog walkers have got used to me creeping around with my camera...
...where I can get 1/2 to 1hr of "butterflies & photography" fix before work and take things like this lady from today...
N PS Nice Hairstreak Eccles
"Conservation starts in small places, close to home..."
- Rogerdodge
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Re: July 2009 Sightings
MikeWhere will you be heading for those, Roger?
I am heading for Ebernoe Common, Oaken Wood, Botany Bay and probably Pulborough for Brown Hairstreak (thanks Neil!).
What are your plans?
Cheers
Roger
Roger